In No Particular Order: All Canadian Showdown (10/09/20)
Welcome, eh!
This week’s In No Particular Order is dedicated to the many talented artists in this great country of Canada. While the world outside may paint another picture, our fellow creative types are doing their part by making something worth sharing with the world. From indie folk mainstays Bahamas and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, to up-and-coming artists Sam Lynch and Nora Toutain, and even the messy noise rock of Toronto icons METZ, the new INPO is a diverse collection of some of Canada’s best talent.
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Bahamas – Sad Hunk
7.5/10
Singer-songwriter / Folk-pop
While I gave the album a genre for the sake of formatting, the new record from Bahamas is so naturally shaped, it’s not worth labelling. There’s no value in a pointless category when the brooding personality of the artist just organically emits from the record in whichever direction he chooses. On his fifth album Sad Hunk (a nickname courtesy of his wife), Afie Jurvanen expresses himself freely on the 10 track collection. His subtle virtuosity as a guitarist elevates the album’s free spirit, dropping hints with fluttering riffs and seamless transitions as he sings overtop about life, love, and self-acceptance.
It flows like a blues album, in the sense of free-flowing collaboration and soul-touching honesty, but with the roots-y richness of a Canadian songwriter tinkered in with hints of folk, pop, and rock.
While it may not be his strongest release, nevertheless Jurvanen has put out an irresistible, heartfelt record that is easy to enjoy over and over.
Notable tracks: “Trick To Happy” // “Half Of Love” // “Can’t Complain”
METZ – Atlas Vending
8/10
Noise-rock
As the opening seconds of Atlas Vending pound their way through your chest, ears, and heart, the world feels like a different place. The ground shakes, lights are flickering, and the concept of existence feels blurred. The steady bass kick drum of “Pulse” drills a hole into your soul as the Toronto noise rock group spill the rest of their instruments, overflowing with their in-the-red distortion and barrelling riffs for the remainder of the record.
On their fourth album, METZ have managed to find a way to reshape and harness their atom bomb explosiveness into a complex and diverse record about the fleeting innocence of youth and the pains of adulthood. The grittiness of their previous work stays in play, but the way in which it comes out has evolved. Tighter arrangements, balanced production, and marathon-level instrumentation give Atlas Vending a razor sharp background for them to pulverize themes of paternity, media-induced anxiety, and the crumbling state of the world into tenacious clips of varying degrees.
Notable tracks: “Pulse” // “No Ceiling” // “A Boat To Drown In”
Nora Toutain – Ground Place Vol. 1
7/10
Indie R&B/Pop
Montreal-based/Moroccan-born singer and friend to Dusty Organ Nora Toutain explores culture, identity, and life on her debut full-length Grounding Place Vol 1. Produced by Busty & The Bass’ Chris Vincent, this first instatement of music is a colourful and vibrant collection of R&B, soul, and Afropop, bringing out her compelling vocal abilities while showcasing the multicultural diversity of Canada’s indie music scene. It’s short and sweet, but on songs like “Bad At Love”, “Café Au Lait” (she switches between English and Arabic for this one), and the anthemic closer “Victoriaville”, she has a glowing presence that brings her well above her place as an underrated artist.
Notable tracks: “Bad at Love” // Not An Interlude” // “Victoriaville”
Sam Lynch – Little Disappearance
7.5/10
Indie folk/Singer-songwriter
When writing her stunning debut full-length Little Disappearance, Vancouver indie artist Sam Lynch spent most of her time at the kitchen table. A place of contemplation and grounding of sorts, her best work seemed to flow from the best seat in the house.
Those priceless moments sat with a mug looking out the window brought out the record’s encapsulating idea of loss; from loss of memory, time, youth, and loss of self, there is a remarkable heaviness to each track that pulls you down into a place of reflection and self-awareness, but with an ethereal detailing thanks to Lynch’s soothing voice.
Notable tracks: “Off the Rails” // “Good Year” // “Keeping Time”
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald – Love Valley
8/10
Indie folk/singer-songwriter
For folk artist Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, he decided to swap the major city recording sessions for an intimate, homemade experience on his fifth full-length Love Valley. The shift worked out well for the Calgary native, masterfully creating a surprisingly strong-hearted, and fulfilling release. The majority of the record is Fitzgerald and his guitar, backed by delicate layers that paint the background for his rustic and crisp Albertan voice and the stringed twang from plucked strumming.
Adding to the serenity of the record, his songs are heartfelt love songs about the simple things, like day dreaming about a cozy future together, bringing out the “Good Plates” for the in-laws, or simply being affectionate together. It’s a record best enjoyed with headphones, a blanket, and no responsibilities.
Notable tracks: “I Love That Sound” // “Our River” // “Back On The Farm”
